Paris

We left Santiago and flew to Paris this afternoon.  We had wine tasting and a nice meal before we said good bye yesterday 
Robert and Rosemary continue their travels and will finally return home at the end of November.  Connie and Mark flew with us to Paris and they will fly back to San Francisco on Tuesday, Sept 24.  We fly out tomorrow,Sept. 23rd.  

Santiago

We have arrived !!!  Randy and I left around 6 this morning because we wanted to get to Santiago in time for the 12 noon pilgrim's mass.  We arrived around 10:45 and immediately went to the Pilgrims Office to receive our certificate.  There was a long line, so we waited about 45 minutes until we met with an official to record our pilgrimage and to receive the Compostela.  It was an emotional time when the recorder handed me the Compostela and said my name congratulating me on my completion.  The official stamp of the Cathedral is on the Compostela as well as my pilgrim's passport.  As we were waiting on line we once again saw our "angel."  This was a man named Victor who has been traveling the same days we have.  He started his pilgrimage in Rome.  On a daily basis he would stand outside of church and beg.  I would always give him some money, but that was the way he made his pilgrimage, on the generosity of others.  Every day we would greet each other with a simple hello and smile.  Today, we were happy to see him once again.  When you least expected, he would appear giving us hope and strength. Math at why we called him our little angel ( see picture below).

We attended the pilgrim's mass and at the end of mass they incensed the people with the fumarrio.  It was quite moving.  I took a video of the ceremony but i can't seem to publish it on the blog, so i included a picture.  
give thanks to God for a safe journey and for the opportunity to be surprised with His love and care.  It has truly been a Buen Camino !!!

Rua

We left at 7:30am.  It was still dark outside, so we used our head lamps on the way.  Although the Camino was very crowded, the journey was very peaceful as we encountered moments of quiet and solitude.  We passed through many small villages and walked through groves of eucalyptus tree bordering the Camino.  The smell of the eucalyptus trees reminded me of the Bay Area.  We traveled about 12 miles and finally arrived at our destination around 12:30pm.  The village of Rua has a population of 50 people, our last quiet evening before we enter Santiago tomorrow.  

As I was walking today, I was reflecting on the journey that I've been on for the past 38 days.  The people I've encountered, the quiet times and the bustling times, my God moments, the food, wine, and friendships, the people that I've remembered in prayer, and those moments of new discoveries, have been all quite amazing and transforming.  I can't believe that I've walked almost 500 miles, and I'm still going strong !!  Even my feet are feeling pretty good.  It's all a great blessing and I am most thankful.

Tomorrow it is on to Santiago.  We will try to leave early, around 6:00am, so we can make the Pilgrim's mass at noon.  We will also attend the 7:30pm mass where they will use the giant fumarrio and incense the assembly during the mass.  Tomorrow, as we enter the city, there will be even more pilgrims walking along the Way.  Bus loads of pilgrims will be dropped off before the city to walk the final mile or two to the Cathedral, so I'm trying to keep my focus on why I am here and not let the crowds and the excitement of reaching our destination cloud my prayer.

On Saturday, the plan is to drive Finisterre (the end of the world) and deposit our boots there.  My boots are really worn, inside and out, so leaving them at the end is most fitting.  Only 19km to go.  Until tomorrow, Buen Camino.

Scripture passage - Sept. 19

Psalm 16:11

Prayer companion(s)

Bishop Michael Barber

Priests of the Diocese of Oakland

Arzua

Today was a long day, over 17 miles of walking, it rained part of the day, everything hurt, and yet God always manages to enter into the picture.  Today we first experienced great hospitality from the people who ran the hostel we stayed in last night.  Since we were leaving at 6:30am, an hour before breakfast was to be served, they packed a lunch for us; with a sandwich, fruit, water, juice and cookies.  We were overwhelmed by their generosity.  As soon as we left the village it began to rain.  After traveling about 9 miles, my feet were hurting, my side ached, and my knee was bothering me.  Plus I had a headache!!  We stopped at a small village and went inside the church to have our pilgrim's passport stamped.  I sat in a pew, closed my eyes and was feeling very sorry for myself.  I prayed that God would give me direction in dealing with my situation.  I opened my eyes and looked to my right where there was huge image of the crucifixion.  I close my eyes again and prayed..."Ok God, I got it!"  It's amazing how God enters into our lives at the most vulnerable moments and speaks the truth to us.  

As we were walking, we came across a stand with fruits, nuts, water, and seats under the trees for rest.  Everything was free for the pilgrim to take as they journeyed along the Way.   A donation basket was there if someone wanted to leave an offering.  The hospitality to the pilgrim has been renewing and humbling.  We travel about 11 miles the next two days as we enter Santiago on Friday.  We plan to attend the Pilgrim's mass at 7:30pm.  The next day is free to tour the area and then we are on our way  home.  It continues to be an amazing adventure.  Buen Camino!!!

Scripture reading - Sept. 18

Isaiah 40:31

Prayer Companion(s):

The Smiths: Tim, Debbie, Sean, Joyce, Coco

Palas de Rei

Today, once again, the Camino was crowded with pilgrims.  It was a long journey,15 miles, so some of those new pilgrims might have been hurting a little today.  We passed through farm land and many small villages once again.  There were some interesting structures along the way and we discovered they were used to store and dry grain that is produced in this region (picture below).  Along with new  pilgrims, we reconnected with some "old" pilgrims who have been on the journey for awhile.  It's always nice to reconnect and to share how the journey has been.  We arrived at our destination around 3:30pm.  Tomorrow, we have a 17 mile trip, the last long walk before Santiago.  Thursday and Friday are both 11 mile trips.  I never thought I would be saying that an 11 mile walk was something to be looking forward to, but it is !!  See how the Camino changes our perspective on things!  Time to get to bed.  We are leaving at 6:30am.  Buen Camino !!!

Scripture passage - Sept. 17

Psalm 23:4

Prayer companion(s):

Kathy Anders

 

Portomarin

The Camino was very crowed today as we traveled to Portomarin.  You could identify the new pilgrims because they were all excited, taking lots of pictures, chatting a lot, and on their cell phones.  Much different than our experience prior to Sarria.  Although, we could identify with them because when we left St. Jean, we were just as excited about the journey ahead.  We traveled through farm land and passed through many small villages.  We stopped for a break at one of the cafes and came across Rolando, a man from Portland that we met on the train to St. Jean.  We lost contact with each other, but re-connected in O Cebreiro, over 30 days into the journey.  He is walking with his cousin from Cuba.  We both plan to be in Santiago on Friday and attend then Pilgrim's mass that evening.  

The next couple of days are challenging.  Tomorrow we walk 15 miles, and the next day 17 miles.  It's amazing how we've managed to have the strength to accomplish the task.  Sometimes I find myself praying to God for the strength to reach our destination, and He always seems to answer the prayer.  It's all part of the experience on the Camino.  The photo's below are of an old woman who was working in the field today.  The people are so connected to the land.  There is a sacredness that I've seen in all of this.  I have learned a lot!!   The other picture is of Rolando, his cousin, and myself when we met at this cafe this morning.  It's amazing how God brings total strangers together to support each other on the Way.  Buen Camino!!!

Scripture passage: Sept. 16

Psalm 1:1-2

Prayer Companion(s):

Mary and Paul Stickel

Sarria

It was a 12 mile journey to our next destination, Sarria.  There was a good amount of climbing through rolling hills and farm country.  Many times we came across farmers tending their cattle or working on repairing fences on their land.  It was obvious that the people were hard working and dedicated to their trade.  Most of the small villages we passed were simple with humble dwellings.  Usually the cattle and other live stock were lodged near the homes and then brought out to pasture during the day.  

We arrived in Sarria around 12:30 pm, had something to eat and walked through the town.  The town has become a major starting point for pilgrims with limited time to walk, but want to pick up a Compostela in Santiago.  Starting here in Sarria will just cover the required 100km to the cathedral.  So the Camino, from this point on, should be crowded with pilgrims on their was to Santiago.  Tomorrow we travel 14 miles to Portomarin.  

One of the things I "surrendered" when I began the Camino was shaving.  I've grown quite the beard, but will shave it off as soon as I return to the states.  Buen Camino !!!

Scripture passage: Sept. 15

Revelation 9:20

Prayer companion(s):

Jeanne Loughlin

Mark Lewis